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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-21 School Committee Minutes 7-EIVED READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE 16;. N CLERK Reading, Massachusetts FD,DING. MA$$, REGULAR SESSION 1901" d$2011 : 13 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Griset called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Cavicchi, Dahl, Griset and Russo. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Dahl moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the Teachers' Association, Secretaries & Clerks Nurses, Custodial Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Emplovees Educational Assistants and Administrators, to discuss pending litigation to discuss the deplovment of security personnel or devices and the approval of executive session minutes to return to regular session at approximately 7.10 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. CALL BACK TO ORDER Vice Chair Griset called the meeting back to order at 7:45 p.m. BILLS & PAYROLL Bills and payroll are as follows: Payroll 9 July 26, 2001 $340,874.44 Payroll 11 August 3,2001 $74,160.08 Payroll 13 August 9,2001 $343.936.70 Payroll 15 August 17. 2001 $73.287.20 Payroll 17 August 23, 2001 $335,84820 Warrant 10 .July 30. 2001 $118.513.77 Warrant 12 August 6. 2001 $147,987.82 Warrant 14 August 13. 2001 $55,818.29 Warrant 16 August 20. 2001 $280,042.00 Warrant 18 August 27, 2001 $92,736.00 Vice Chair Griset advised that Mr. Twomey and Mr. Keiglcy are unable to attend this evening's meeting. Mr. Keigley hada performance and Mr. Twomey was away. 4 REGULAR SESSION 2 August 28, 2001 CITIZEN'S INPUT Mrs. Phillips asked for clarification on where the position that would be coordinating the bullying grant appears in the budget. Dr. Harutunian stated that the school psychologist coordinates the bullying grant so there is no change in FTEs an existing position is being funded by the grant. GIFTS Dr. Harutunian advised that a local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous. donated their tax refund check because of their concern with the government's tax relief plan. Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the gift of$600 as outlined in the memorandum of August 28,2001. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Keiglev. Mr. Dahl stated that he believed that the gift was to show that the tax relief granted by the federal government was taking money away from educational funds SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Dr. Harutunian distributed memorandums regarding FY00-FY02 overtime costs of summer cleaning and a memorandum regarding the painting completed over the summer months. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the state of each of the school buildings. Ms. Cavicchi stated that she was surprised at the amount of painting done at the Coolidge Middle School in light of the recent renovation. Dr. Harmunian stated that he committed to maintaining all newly renovated buildings to the fullest. Mr. Dahl commended Mr. Orlando for his continuing work to maintain the high school. Mr. Russo thanked the Superintendent for his work to reduce overtime and to get the painting done as requested by the public. Mr. Griset applauded the Superintendent in addressing the issues we have heard from the public. Mr. Griset thanked Mr. Cummings, Board of Selectmen liaison to the School Committee, for his attendance this evening. REGULAR SESSION 3 August 28, 2001 Mr. Griset discussed the community outreach meetings that were held at the end of June. He stated that he feels that community outreach meetings serve both the community and the Committee well. He stated that he believes the meetings should be held on a regular basis. Mr. Griset stated that Ms. Cavicchi is the one who suggested that the initial meetings he held and he wanted to recognize and thank Ms. Cavicchi for her suggestion. Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding the hiring of staff for the 2001-2002 school year. He stated that as of today we are fully staffed for teachers and we continue to work to fill the vacant educational assistant positions. Dr. Harmuniatt thanked the administrators, staff and parents who worked so hard over the summer to ensure that all positions were filled. Mr. Datil stated that some communities are joining together to sue the state to see if the state can be forced to pay the benefit costs for the early retirement plan passed by the state. I Ic asked if Reading had looked into this matter. Dr. Harutunian advised that he had contacted MASS to see if they are supporting this action and he was waiting to hear back from MASS. Dr. Harutunian stated that he would keep the Committee informed. Mr. Russo stated that he has heard about the pending teacher shortage and one thing he would like to see in the personnel report is the reasons for resignation. Dr. Harutunian advised that in some cases it is not possible because of privacy issues. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the bus transportation issue. Dr. Harutunian thanked Ms. Hanifan for her work on this issue. lie stated that there are still empty seats on the bus but we will not allow any students living under two miles to purchase a seat on the bus until next week after we confirm that all students who live over two miles have been given first option for the bus. Dr. Harutunian distributed an updated elementary enrollment chart. He cautioned that until school actually begins these figures could change. As oftoday. there are no classes K-5 that exceed the School Committee guidelines for class size. Dr. I-larutunian stated that again this year we are housing elementary students at the Coolidge Middle School. Dr. Harutunian updated the Committee on the Eaton parents' petition regarding class size. He stated that he met with three parents from the Eaton school in August regarding this matter. He told those parents he would meet with the principal and get back to them. Dr. Harutunian stated that he had met with the principal and was scheduled to meet with those parents next week. He stated that there is no available classroom at the Eaton school for an additional teacher. REGULAR SESSION 4 August 28, 2001 Dr. Harutunian advised that the Killam boiler work is moving forward. Dr. Harutunian distributed information regarding the OPTS substitute service. Vice Chair Griset asked if the per diem rate is the same through OPIS as it was through the schools. Dr. Harutunian advised that the per diem rate is the same. Ms. Cavicchi asked how someone wanting to be a substitute should apply. Dr. Haruttmian gave the OPIS toll free number to call. Dr. Harutunian stated that more people are coining out of the private sector to become teachers. He stated that the Department of Education does offer waivers to individuals if they are meeting requirements set forth by the Department of Education. He stated that individuals on waivers do not receive seniority until they receive their certification and information regarding their certification is tracked by the district. Mr. Dahl stated that granting a waiver should not be seen as a negative thing. It is a way 4 to bring experience into the classroom. Dr. I Iarutunian advised that a .7 special education teaching position is still open at the high school. He stated that the position has not been tilled yet because two students who need outside placement if.3 is not added to the .7 position. Dr. Harutunian requested that the Committee give their consensus that the .3 position be added. Mr. Dahl moved to accept the Superintendent's recommendation to increase the .7 special education teaching position at RMHS to a 1.0. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Dr. I Iarutunian stated that he received a request from one of the PTOs to check to see whether they are covered under the Town's insurance. He stated that he has checked and PTOs are not covered and that our policy does not allow for that type of rider. He stated that this information has been passed along to the PTO. Dr. Harutunian stated that Keyspan has agreed to extend the contract negotiated regarding natural gas delivery at no additional cost to the Town. 4 CREGULAR SESSION 5 August 28,2001 OLD BUSINESS FY02 Budget Dr. Harutunian advised that there has been no recent action on the Senate and House Compromise Committee on the budget. Mr. Dahl stated that this is an embarrassment to the state. Mr. Russo agreed with Mr. Dahl. Dr. Harutunian stated that Senator Tisei, Representative Jones and Casey have been available to the Superintendent all summer. Mr. Dahl agreed that our representation has been extremely helpful but that pressure needs to be put on them to put pressure on the leadership. Dr. Harutunian stated that we are in a serious situation with the lack of a school nurse. He stated that he is bringing in a substitute nurse who will start in about ten days. I he Supervisor of Nurses has agreed to pick up the slack until the substitute starts. NEW BUSINESS Dr. Harutunian discussed the proposed School Committee retreat. He suggested that the Committee meet on a Saturday and that some portion of the retreat include a facilitator. Dr. Harutunian stated that he would like to work with the Chair and Vice Chair in identifying facilitators. It was the consensus of the Committee that Dr. Harutunian, the Chair and Vice Chair work to find a facilitator. Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the School Committee calendar subject to any additional of meetings that may be necessary. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. MINUTES Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 6,2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 4-On Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 7,2001 with amendment as noted Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, 4 Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. REGULAR SESSION 6 August 28,2001 Ms. Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 11,2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-On Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl,Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Mr. Russo stated that the minutes of June 1 I"' should be changed to reflect that Mr. GrisePs statement on page 3 where he stated that the Superintendent was scheduled to be deposed on the first day of school was incorrect and Mr. Griset has acknowledge that statement was inaccurate. Mr. Russo stated that the Superintendent was scheduled to be deposed on the day before school. After discussion the Committee agreed that it was not appropriate to change the minutes on June 11, 2001 because the minutes reflected what was said at the meeting and Mr. Griset has stated that his statement was incorrect and that his correction appears in other minutes. Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 13 2001 with correction as noted Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 18 2001 Mr. Russo seconded the motion The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of June 25 2001. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. Ms Cavicchi moved to approve the minutes of August 1 2001 with correction as noted Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. ADJOURN Ms Cavicchi made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0 Ms Cavicchi Mr. Dahl, Mr. Griset and Mr. Russo. �Respectfully ��/submitted. ,, Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools LW